The Senior Manager IT is accountable for end-to-end IT strategy, execution, and outcomes across the organization. This role operates at a senior leadership level, owning multiple functional areas, driving medium- to long-term planning, and ensuring IT enables business growth in a secure, reliable, and cost-effective manner.

The role requires strong ownership, sound judgment in ambiguous situations, people leadership, and executive-level communicationbalancing hands-on technical depth with strategic oversight.

Location : Calicut

Job Level : M3

Reporting To : COO / CTO

Team Scope : Team Size : 1015 Headcount

Key Responsibilities :

1. IT Strategy & Ownership :

- Define and execute a scalable IT roadmap aligned with current and future business growth.

- Own end-to-end IT systems, including infrastructure, internal tools, networks, identity, and end-user computing.

- Translate business priorities into clear technical and operational plans.

- Act as the final escalation point for critical IT risks and incidents.

2. Infrastructure, Systems & Operations :

Ensure availability, reliability, and performance of :

1. Cloud and on-prem infrastructure

2.End-user devices, MDM, VPNs, and SaaS tools

3. Network and access management systems

4. Establish, track, and review SLAs and operational KPIs.

5. Drive automation and standardization to reduce manual effort and operational risk.

- Ensure IT readiness for hiring spikes, audits, customer commitments, and new initiatives.

3. Security, Compliance & Risk Management :

- Own the organizations security posture and risk management framework.

- Lead compliance programs (e.g., ISO, SOC, customer security audits).

- Partner with Engineering, HR, Legal, and Compliance teams on :

1. Identity and access controls

2. Data protection and privacy

3. Incident response and disaster recovery

- Lead incident reviews using a blameless, corrective-action approach.

4. People Leadership :

- Hire, develop, and retain high-performing IT managers and engineers.

- Set clear goals, accountability, and growth plans for teams and leaders.

- Coach managers to operate as owners rather than task coordinators.

- Address performance issues decisively and fairly.

- Build a culture of operational excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.

5. Vendor, Budget & Cost Management :

- Own IT budgets across CapEx and OpEx.

- Make data-driven trade-offs across cost, risk, and delivery speed.

- Lead vendor selection, contract negotiations, and performance reviews.

- Continuously optimize spend without compromising security or reliability.

6. Stakeholder & Executive Communication :

- Communicate IT strategy, risks, and performance metrics clearly to senior leadership.

- Produce clear written narratives, including strategy documents, proposals, and post-incident reviews.

- Influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.

- Proactively surface risks and dependenciesensuring no surprises.

Success Metrics :

- IT availability, incident trends, and resolution times

- Security incidents and audit outcomes

- Employee IT experience and satisfaction

- Budget adherence and cost optimization

- Hiring quality, team engagement, and retention

- Readiness for scale (headcount growth, audits, new offices)

Required Qualifications :

Experience

- 10 - 14+ years in IT, Infrastructure, or Systems roles

- 5+ years leading multiple teams or managers

- Experience supporting software product or SaaS organizations

- Proven ownership of security and compliance initiatives

Technical & Leadership Skills :

Strong working knowledge of :

- Cloud platforms (AWS / Azure / GCP)

- Identity and access management

- Networking and endpoint management

- Enterprise SaaS ecosystems

- Ability to dive deep when required while maintaining strategic oversight.

- Strong judgment, decision-making, and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications :

- Experience scaling IT in growing organizations

- Prior ownership of ISO or SOC certifications

- Exposure to distributed or global teams

- Regular interaction with senior leadership or board-level stakeholders